I have heard, although not personally lived it, that there was a time in life that you could borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor. This seems to be a reality on the "Real Housewives"...that is the real Real Housewives and not the varying reality shows which I feel pretty confident would be more likely to throw sugar or just lie about having any:) Saying that, do we really know our neighbors?
My husband grew up on a road in PA where many of the families still live and his friends have been friends for life. Most of the children have moved on but the parents and Grandparents have remained. This does seem to be a dying thing. Literally, once the older generation moves on the newer generation moves in. Doors locked, curtains drawn and the once social gathering around a neighborhood bonfire is gone.
My husband and I figured out yesterday that we do know our neighbors.....
We have Murreys Dad, Mysfa's Mom, Blankets Dad, Brownies Parents and Sugars parents.
So I guess I may not be able to borrow sugar but I can borrow something from my neighbors...puppy chow!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Its hard to believe that the year is almost half way over! Is it really almost Memorial Day? I do love the summer. Something about white, sunshine and a pina colada just makes a day better. Throw in a childs laughter, a few waves and a good bikini wax and its pretty darn perfect. I'm not saying I am bikini ready yet but it is always good to be prepared:)
Every Memorial Day, Andy and I like to reflect on the story behind it. Certainly since living in DC we have embraced the opportunity to visit the history of this holiday in our nations capital with all of the monuments and museums. It is hard to believe that there are people who have forgotten what the history of Memorial Day is and only see it as a day off work or just the beginning of summer. So while brushing up on a bit of history today...I thought I would share....
(coutesy of http://www.usmemorialday.org/)
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
General John A. Logan
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."
The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform
So with all that being said...if you have a moment this weekend please visit http://www.uso.org/ or if you see a service member, say thank you. As a military spouse, I can tell you it makes a difference.
Have a great holiday and God Bless America!
Every Memorial Day, Andy and I like to reflect on the story behind it. Certainly since living in DC we have embraced the opportunity to visit the history of this holiday in our nations capital with all of the monuments and museums. It is hard to believe that there are people who have forgotten what the history of Memorial Day is and only see it as a day off work or just the beginning of summer. So while brushing up on a bit of history today...I thought I would share....
(coutesy of http://www.usmemorialday.org/)
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.
General John A. Logan
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.
In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."
The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.
But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform
So with all that being said...if you have a moment this weekend please visit http://www.uso.org/ or if you see a service member, say thank you. As a military spouse, I can tell you it makes a difference.
Have a great holiday and God Bless America!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Please click above to watch.
Its hard to believe it is May 11th already!!!! Seriously, time flies! I have also heard season's change but I am just not feeling it. Well I am, then I am not, then I am....This has been the basic weather pattern in DC. Monday, 40 degrees, Tuesday, 85 degrees, Wed 59 degrees....come on GIVE ME SPRING and not a cold! This is where it becomes painfully clear that I am a Florida gal. I enjoy hanging Christmas lights on my palm tree while wearing flip flops and a Santa hat.
My second favorite home is Tennessee. I lived there for many years while working at Shop at Home TV and Jewelry Television. As many know , I also am a country music artist/writer and my heart is breaking for so much of amazing history that found itself under water recently. The Ryman (the original Grand Ole Opry) was under water and the damage lost there and on 2nd and Broadway is huge to Nashville. Please keep everyone in Tennessee and Oklahoma in your prayers. My best friend, Amy Gregorio was there recently supporting the beautiful Michele in Mrs Tennessee America and said that it was pretty devastating.
Much love and be blessed today to be who you are and love the one's your with.
Childhood obesity is one of the most serious epidemics in the U.S., yet the unhealthy foods available to our kids and the lack of physical activity provided during the school day hinder their ability to make healthy choices to fight it.
We know this problem is urgent. But as the Senate continues to delay voting on the Child Nutrition Act, we need to make sure they know, too.
Take a moment to send a letter to your Senators to tell them how important it is that we improve the school environment for healthier kids.
The more people our Senators hear from, the likelier they are to feel pressure to push for a vote on this crucial act. By writing to them now, you can ask them to sign on to a letter going to the Senate leadership that calls for an immediate debate on this bipartisan bill.
With the growing threat of childhood obesity and related problems, we are long overdue for a re-vamp of our school nutrition programs. The Child Nutrition Act would provide much-needed support to strengthen the ways in which our schools help promote healthy lifestyle habits, such as proper nutrition and adequate daily physical activity. But we need to act now: the deadline for Senators to sign on to this letter to Senate leadership is May 19.
Tell your Senators to take this first step toward ensuring a healthy future for our kids today.
Thank you for your time---together we can make sure this important act gets passed.
Monday, May 10, 2010
The weather fairy was with us for the picnic on Saturday. The Quantico Rod and Gun Club hosted the third annual Wounded Veterans picnic on 8 may 2010 from 11 to 5PM. The turnout was wonderful and it was great to meet so many incredible people. The Armed Forces Foundation was present along with many grass roots organizations to show support for our wounded veteran's and active duty personal.
The war in Afghanistan continues and my sister is deploying soon in what we hope to be the last set of troops going into Iraq.
I was able to meet Congressman Rob Wittman and many others on Saturday. He truly was a nice man and it was great to see the support he was providing to our military. I also met this young many name Timothy. He was 7 and such an inspiration and a true hero also.
Thank you to all who attended and thank you to the Armed Forces Foundation and the Quantico Gun and Rod club for making it a truly spectacular event.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Anyone who knows me, knows I am like a book. Over sensitive and broken at the binder but a good read if you like slightly broken:) Its been one of those weeks and it is only Wednesday! My weekend was my Mother in law and Father in law. My Father in law is a saint. My Mother in law...well there is a reason why there are stigmas. Monster in law ring a bell? Yes, she can read this and hate me more but I doubt that. She has FULLY shared her feelings with me. I will just say this, for someone who actually said to me...and I quote, "I don't want to know anything about your family" and they are deceased...she could not fill their shoes on their worst day. Now I must stop....but I am upset. This weekend more drama.....
So this brings me to my aggression. Spring cleaning. I have torn through things, planted flowers, folded, thrown out and not slept. This is all due to my new vegan diet. Ugh...the clarity! I was cleaning Carters room and found numerous dead flies behind furniture. These are the annoying creatures that live only 24 hours yet we strive to kill them upon initial greeting. I have never seen a baby fly....I realize I should have paid more attention in class to all of the annoyances in life but failed in this aspect of my educational development.
My week....Mother in law and dead flies....I have had better weeks. Isn't this Cinco de Mayo?
Cheers!
So this brings me to my aggression. Spring cleaning. I have torn through things, planted flowers, folded, thrown out and not slept. This is all due to my new vegan diet. Ugh...the clarity! I was cleaning Carters room and found numerous dead flies behind furniture. These are the annoying creatures that live only 24 hours yet we strive to kill them upon initial greeting. I have never seen a baby fly....I realize I should have paid more attention in class to all of the annoyances in life but failed in this aspect of my educational development.
My week....Mother in law and dead flies....I have had better weeks. Isn't this Cinco de Mayo?
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
The Quantico Rod and Gun Club will host the third annual Wounded Veterans picnic on 8 may 2010 from 11 to 5PM.
Congressman Wittman will attend along with several other dignitaries.
Several Beauty Queens a live band and plenty of food to go around.
Fishing lounging and good old fashioned fun.
There will be over 300 military present.
We hope to see you there!
Dear Friend --
You and I have the chance to be part of something really special. It's for our troops and their moms -- and it's for our troops who are moms.
With Mother's Day fast approaching, the USO is making sure this year there are More Minutes for Mom.
http://www.uso.org/
Through this great effort, we can help our troops who are separated from their families make more phone calls home. We can make sure that no matter the distance, all our brave service men and women can connect with their families this Mother's Day.
So please donate now to support the More Minutes for Mom campaign. Your $15 donation can provide 300 minutes of talk time from Afghanistan.
I can only imagine how hard it is knowing your son or daughter is in harm's way halfway around the world.
And just think what it's like for a young mother serving with her unit in Afghanistan or Iraq and knowing that Mother's Day hug from her child will have to wait until next year.
We've got to do everything we can to help troops and their families connect on and around Mother's Day.
Donate now to support the More Minutes for Mom campaign. Your $15 donation can provide 300 minutes of talk time from Afghanistan.
I'm so proud to be a part of this special USO effort. I know you'll do everything you can to help.
http://www.uso.org/
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